29 September 2023 , 15:55
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Tyson Fury has taken to Instagram to share his thoughts on fighting Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title after signing a deal for the bout.
The world heavyweight champions will do battle to close out Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia, just weeks after Fury opens the celebrations with a crossover bout against UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. And it could take place as soon as December 23, just eight weeks from that major showdown, according to reports from ESPN's Mike Coppinger.
No date has been announced as yet, but promoters K2, Top Rank and Queensberry have released a joint press release sharing the news of pen being put to paper on the fight. It will be the first time in the four-belt era that an undisputed champion will be crowned, with Fury's WBC belt always splintered from the WBA, WBO and IBF which are currently held by Usyk.
And in an Instagram caption, Fury wrote: "I do what I say, I say what I do. UNDISPUTED. THIS IS THE GYPSY KING ERA! You can't run rabbit run anymore, Oleksandr Usyk - you're getting it. Riyadh Season, thank you to the Kingdom! #FuryUsyk."
Neither man gave a comment in the official press release launching the event, but Fury's UK promoter Frank Warren was quoted as saying: “Delighted to finally get this fight signed. This is the biggest fight that could possibly be made in our sport.
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"The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century. I look forward to Tyson reclaiming the three belts that he never lost in the ring. Huge thanks to His Excellency and the GEA.”
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The Brit's American promoter Bob Arum added: “ Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are the two greatest heavyweights of their generation, and I can’t wait to see what happens when they step into the ring in Riyadh. They are special talents worthy of competing for the greatest prize in sports. I would like to thank His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and everyone involved in helping make this legendary night a reality.”
Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk was also quoted, adding: “I can’t believe that it’s happening but it is. Difficult to express my admiration for being part of the biggest heavyweight fight of the century. Gratitude to the KSA and his excellency Turki Al-Sheikh for making it happen, respect to Tyson for his courage and thank the Lord for all he gives us.”
The Brit has routinely flip-flopped on the idea of facing Usyk for all the belts, at times insisting that he wants to be undisputed while otherwise claiming that the Ukrainian is a relative unknown. However, with officials in the Middle East willing to fork out what he says is one of the biggest deals in sporting history, he will now compete for all of the belts.